Abstract: A process for treating an aqueous liquid. The process includes: passing the liquid by force of gravity through a treatment area, the liquid having an upper surface exposed to ambient pressure; disrupting the flow of the liquid as it passes through the treatment area, and exposing the upper surface of the liquid as the flow is disrupted to UV light. Disrupting the flow includes directing lower portions of the liquid toward the surface of the liquid to bring such portions into contact with UV light. A process for treating an aqueous liquid in which the treatment process is monitored. This process includes passing the liquid through a treatment area to bring the liquid into contact with reflective walls submerged below an upper surface of the liquid, and exposing the upper surface of the liquid to light emitted from a UV light source such that UV light penetrates the liquid to strike the submerged reflective surfaces and to be reflected therefrom to emerge through the upper surface of the liquid.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for separation of relatively volatile from non-volatile material, typically an organic component of agglomerate waste material from an inorganic solid component of the waste. The process includes milling material in a container partially immersed or floating in a bath of molten material to break up the material, typically an agglomerate, and thermally releasing the relatively volatile component as vapor therefrom. The apparatus relates to a desorption vessel at least partially immersed in a molten tin bath for heat transfer from the bath to the interior of the vessel for desorption of the relatively volatile component from such material.

Abstract: A system for the destruction of organic waste material such as halogenated organic compounds, and related matter. In one embodiment the waste material is reduced with a gaseous reducing agent such as hydrogen above about 600.degree. C., the gaseous products are condensed and cooled in the presence of an aqueous mist at about 5.degree. C., and condensed organic and aqueous material is collected and the aqueous portion recycled into the condensing and cooling steps. In another embodiment, where acid gases (for example, hydrogen halides) are produced during reduction, the gaseous products are condensed in the presence of aqueous mist at about 85.degree. C. and a major portion of the aqueous mist condenses as acidic water which is collected and neutralized. Remaining gaseous components are then cooled to about 5.degree. C. as in the previous embodiment. In further embodiments, the remaining uncondensed gaseous products are oxidized with a gaseous oxidizing agent at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A system for the destruction of organic waste material such as halogenated organic compounds, e.g., PCB's and related waste organic matter, comprises subjecting the waste material to reduction with a gaseous reducing agent, preferably hydrogen, at a temperature above about 600.degree. C. and thereafter subjecting the hot reaction mixture thus obtained to oxidation with a gaseous oxidizing agent at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C. The combined reduction followed by immediate oxidation is effective in achieving substantially complete breakdown of the halogenated compounds to substantially non-noxious gases. The system includes a reduction vessel wherein hydrogen is used directly in intimate mixing relation with the pulverized waste material, and after completion of a residence time sufficient to reduce the organic compounds, the gaseous by-products pass to an adjacent combustor for oxidation therein.